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Show t Mexican Hat program receives 924 books The summer school program now under way at Mexican Hat has been enriched by the addition of 924 new books, the gift of a California based firm represented by two Provo men with a special interest in American Indian culture and a concern for Navajo children. Darrell Stoddard and Theron Mitchell, both Utah natives and residents of Provo, have long been aware of the problems encountered by young Navajos when they commence their schooling. Few of the chiluren speak English when they enroll, and as yet, none search, Inc. , of La Jolla, California which supplies supplementary reading and resources books to schools throughout the nation. Stoddard, who studied at Weber State College, Brigham Young University and Southern Oklahoma State University, has done extensive research in the field of archaeology and primitive art, much of it in Utah. Mitchell, who studied at B. Y. U. , is a former newspaper editor and a student of American Indian Culture. The 110 Indian students who attend the Mexican Hat school of their teachers can commuarrive each morning in buses nicate in the Navajo tongue. driven as far as 55 miles to The school's principal, Edwin the outlying desert regions. Hawkins, reveals that the Many ride as long as two hours language barrier pushes the from the crude hogan to the youngsters two or more years televisinew behind. The Navajo child's on-equipped school. learning potential is excellent, Their family's living habits explained Hawkins, if he is are little changed from that well motivated. He is partof their ancestors 100 years icularly adept in math and ago. The average family art, but frustratingly slow in income of the non --reservation learning to read. is $680 annually, most Indian The Navajo reading lag came to the attention of Stod- acquired through the sale of native handicraft. Their dard and Mitchell recently in rate is the highest illiteracy their education-oriente- d the nation. in travels throughout Utah for The cultural gap narrows Educational Marketing G Re fr: with education, but school is not mandatory, and many Navajos, either through fear, disdain, or myriad economical reasons, never learn so much as the ABC's. It is Stoddard and Mitchell's 1 conviction that children can be motivated to read with pleasure and enthusiasm if presented with books that are appealing in subject, color, and illustration. More important, they emphasize, the books should be made easily accessible by displaying them in classrooms and encouraging check-ofor leasure reading and sharing at home. When the problem of the Mexican Hat school was presented to the management of Educational Marketing G Research, plans were immediately set in motion to provide The EMGR the materials. catalog list and curriculum guide were brought to the principal so that he and his staff could make selections best suited to the children's interests and needs. Hawkins' faculty includes - i', !- .v .,J k, .if ' ... c 1 " l&'it Y h fir . a, I- - - '4 . ft ut -- w Head Start program teacher, Betty Hooker, holds her audience from the new collection. Each captive with an adventure tale for its particular interest value book was individually selected school. to students at the Navajo Mrs. Anna Pehrson, first grade teacher; Foss Smith, upper grades teacher; and Mildred Tso and Betty Hooker, who teach the Head Start program which enrolls 40 of the school's 110 students. Mrs. Reta Bar-tof Monticello, San Juan School District's elementary supervisor, also made recomell mendations. Since the school's goal was to stimulate the desire to improve reading skills first, the selections were made carefully to include books of high interest within each grade level. The final list totalled 924 volumes to be displayed on three different models of the specially-design- Theron Mitchell (right), EMGR representative, delights youngsters with a narration of "A Trip to the Zoo, an experience children at Mexican Hat yet to be enjoyed by most Navajo assistant (left) expressed school. Indian training center vistas to children. new tribe's pleasure in books which open EMGR an- ed imated bookcases for schools. The presentation was made last week with little fanfare, u much excitement but-mid- of Service Everybody wants it . . . Garrett provides it ...AMMttce, orfcteteat, dcufy. motel rfutyAd Xot ftm amcC titoufAout -- from students, who watched ferris wheel bookthe six-fo- ot case being assembled, then helped place come 350 books on its revolving shelves. "It's one of the nicest things ever to happen at our school, " concluded Hawkins. The gift brought praise and appreciation from the Utah Excellence 4Awiat st tit MC&t ( State Department of Education. Dr. LeRoy Lindeman, the state's director of instructional media, noted that the new reading collection will provide a ratio of 13 books per student for those in first through sixth grades. "The new collections will fit in perfectly, " he said "with the state's bi -- lingual reading pro- gram to be initiated this fall in San Juan County Schools, 254 Baroid Avenue Phone 587-26- Monticello . for Navajos of all ages. 33 Space Heaters Hot Water Heaters Tank Rentals supply your needs. We'll take care of your tank or bottle. Let us Service Work 24 Hr. Service OUTEAST NEWS Cal. spent the weekend with Marie and La Juan Johnson have been visiting their parents the Travest Johnson's the past 10 days and have now : returned to Provo where Marie attends B. Y. U. and La Juan a trade school. The Stanley Kuydendalls of Mr. and Mrs. George Barry, Jr. Mrs. Satterfield is a cousin of Mrs Barry. Mr. and Mrs. Max Johnson took a group of young people to Lake Poewll Thursday for boating. . Naturita called on the H. W. House guests at the Rex Redshaws Sunday afternoon. The Kenneth Finchers little granddaughter Lauri spent last week in the Monticello Hosp- Johnsons the past week were Kymm Barton and Krissy Wen-gr- , joeoeoeoeoeoeos BROKEN? . Lee's LP 587-275- Gas Co. en from Hyrum. , The Walter Snyder family wenf on a picnic Sunday as ital. Mr. and Mrs. Travest Johnson' Phyllis is home fifcm college and will be working in Durangc losted a Birthday and Father's summer. this day dinner Sunday. Guests The Sid Snyder's had Sunday were Mrs. Sarah Barton of with Phyllis Kay's dinner Monticello, Mrs. Beata Johnson and the Bart Johnsons. parents, the David Allan's. The Slavin children from Stephanie Barry spent part of Spanish Fork are visiting with last week visiting her grandmother , Mrs. Helen Redshaw, their grandparents, the Marion and cousins Richard and Jeannie Millers and the George Slavins. Redshaw. House guests at the George Endters last week were her auntand uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Door and Fletcher Petersen of Denver and this week their daughter Window Glass and family Mr. and Mrs. George A. Espinosa ef Commerce, Colo. Accompanying the Petersons was Mrs. Minnie Harbison who visited with her son in Moab New Glass and with her daughter , Mrs. Clyde Thompson, in Blanding.. & Screen Wire Mrs. Jim Peterson's parents are visiting them from Kansas. i Installed in Glen Miller is home for the summer from Western State Wood & Aluminum College. MonThe James Barrys left day on a short vacation to Windows Salt Lake City and other places Mr. and Mrs. Satterfield and and daughter of West Covina, Doors 7 Monticello The San Juan Record Monticello, Utah Thursday, June 19, 1969 Page Ten MONTICELLO LUMBER & HDWE. ' 587-242- a a 4 s |